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North Korea has informed Japan of its plans to launch a satellite in the coming days, just three months after a failed attempt that saw a military satellite plunge into the sea. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has urged Pyongyang to cancel the launch, stating that Japan is working with South Korea and the United States to gather more information on the sanctions-busting launch. Tokyo is taking necessary measures to prepare for any unforeseen eventuality, including mobilizing missile defense units and naval ships in case the satellite lands in Japanese territory.

According to Japan’s Coast Guard, the satellite rocket launch is scheduled to take place between August 24 and 31, with designated danger areas in the Yellow Sea, East China Sea, and waters east of the Philippines’ Luzon island. North Korea has expressed its determination to successfully launch a spy satellite, which it claims is a counterbalance to the growing U.S. military presence in the region. This announcement comes as South Korea and the United States begin their annual joint military drills known as Ulchi Freedom Shield, aimed at countering threats from North Korea.

North Korea views these exercises as rehearsals for an invasion and has warned of “overwhelming” action in response. Suspected North Korean hackers have already targeted the exercises, launching email attacks on South Korean contractors working at the exercise war simulation center. North Korea’s state news agency has condemned the “aggressive character” of the U.S.-South Korea drills and warned of the possibility of a thermonuclear war on the Korean peninsula if the drills involve a nuclear provocation.

Meanwhile, South Korea’s spy agency has informed lawmakers that Pyongyang could launch a reconnaissance satellite in late August or early September. The launch is believed to be timed ahead of the regime’s 75th anniversary on September 9. Analysts suggest that North Korea has used the past three months to improve and fix the technical aspects of the launch following the failed attempt in May. The United States, South Korea, and Japan had condemned the previous launch as a violation of UN resolutions. However, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has made the development of a military spy satellite a top priority.

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